Work Tool Indicator for a Machine

ABSTRACT

A coupler unit for coupling a work tool to a machine. The coupler unit comprising an indicator coupled to the coupler unit and pivotable between a first position and a second position. The second position indicative of the work tool coupled to the machine. A coupling member movable by an actuator to couple the work tool to the machine wherein coupling of the work tool by the coupling member causes the indicator to pivot from the first position to the second position.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a coupling system to couple a work tool to a machine, and more particularly to an indicator configured to indicate coupling of the work tool with the machine.

BACKGROUND

Construction machines and other road vehicles have a coupler unit that can be used with various work tools or implements such as buckets, scooper, blades, backhoe, lift forks, etc. Various coupler units and mechanisms have been devised to facilitate quick interchange of the work tools so as to enable use of the construction machines for different work functions.

The construction machines have work tool carriers at the front, back or at the front and back of the machine. The carriers may be adapted to couple different types of work tools. To simplify the mounting and removal of various work tools the carriers are equipped with coupler units. The carrier and/or coupler unit have alignment devices to align the carrier relative to the work tool and secure the work tool to the coupler unit. However, in such coupler units the operator has to step out of the operator cabin and visually check for any misalignment or non-engagement of the work tool with the coupler unit.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,851,916 discloses a coupler pin for coupling a work tool. The coupler pin has a handle portion that provides a visual indication of the position of the coupler pin.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a coupler unit for coupling a work tool to a machine is disclosed. The coupler unit includes an indicator coupled to the coupler unit and pivotable between a first position and a second position. The second position of the indicator is indicative of the work tool coupled to the machine. The coupler unit includes a coupling member movable by an actuator to couple the work tool to the machine wherein coupling of the work tool by the coupling member causes the indicator to pivot from the first to the second position.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a machine having a coupler unit is disclosed. The coupler unit includes an indicator and a coupling member. The indicator is coupled to the coupler unit and pivotable between a first position and a second position. The second position is indicative of the work tool coupled to the machine. The coupling member is movable by an actuator to couple the work tool. Coupling of the work tool by the coupling member causes the indicator to pivot from the first position to the second position.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for coupling a work tool to the machine is disclosed. The method includes moving a coupling member to couple the work tool and moving an indicator into a pivoted position when the work tool is coupled by the coupling member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is diagrammatic illustration of an exemplary backhoe loader machine.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary disclosed coupler unit that may be used with a construction machine.

FIG. 3 illustrates an orthogonal view of the coupler unit coupling the work tool with the machine.

FIG. 4 depicts a method of coupling a work tool to the machine and indicating proper engagement of the work tool with the machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to a coupler unit configured to indicate engagement of a work tool or implement with a machine. FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary backhoe loader machine 100 having multiple systems and components that cooperate to excavate and load earthen material. It is contemplated, however, that backhoe loader machine 100 could alternatively embody another excavation or material handling machine, such as a front shovel, a dragline excavator, or another similar machine.

Referring to FIG. 1, the backhoe loader machine 100 of the present embodiment includes an operator cabin 102, a front loader 104, a backhoe 106, a pair of front wheels 108, a pair of rear wheels 110, an exhaust 114 and an engine 116. One or more work tools may be coupled to the backhoe loader machine 100 using disclosed coupler unit 150. In the embodiment illustrated, the backhoe loader machine 100 has a loader bucket 148 and a backhoe bucket 126 coupled to it.

The operator cabin 102 is located in the middle of the backhoe loader machine 100. The engine 116 is arranged frontward of the operator cabin 102. The engine 116 is mounted on a frame 118 and covered with a bonnet 120 attached to the frame 118.

The operator cabin 102 includes a frame member 142 and has an operator seat 144 and a steering handle 112. The frame member 142 houses a glass or similar transparent material to enable an operator sitting in the operator cabin 102 to see the one or more coupler units 150. Steering handle 112 is provided to allow operation of at least the front wheels 108 or the rear wheels 110. The exhaust 114 is configured to provide an outlet for the exhaust gases from the engine 116.

The backhoe 106 is arranged rearward of the operator cabin 102. The backhoe 106 includes a boom 122, an arm 124 and the backhoe bucket 126. The boom 122 may be movably attached to a swing assembly 138. The swing assembly 138 may be movably attached to the frame 118. Arm 124 may include the coupler unit 150 to couple the backhoe bucket 126.

The front loader 104 includes a pair of loader arms 146. The loader arms 146 may have the coupler unit 150 for coupling the loader bucket 148. In an embodiment the loader arms 146 and the frame 118 may be connected using a bolt and nut assembly. Alternatively, loader arms 146 may be connected with the frame 118 by welding, soldering, or other methods known in the art. As one of skill in the art will appreciate, the loader bucket 148 or the backhoe bucket 126 may be any other type of implement or work tool known in the art that may be used in any construction machine or vehicle.

The coupler unit 150 is selectively connected to an attachment structure of the work tool. By way of example, coupling of the loader bucket 148 to the backhoe loader machine 100 using the coupler unit 150 is described. One or more coupler units 150 could be utilized to practice the present invention. The coupler unit 150 may have a plurality of contact points with the work tool.

Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the work tool has an attachment structure to engage with a coupling member 156 of the coupler unit 150 and couple the work tool with the backhoe loader machine 100. In the embodiment illustrated, the attachment structure is a slot 164 configured to receive the coupling member 156 and couple the loader bucket 148 with the backhoe loader machine 100. In various other embodiments the attachment structure may be a bracket, a cavity, a bolt, any other connecting means to connect a work tool with the backhoe loader machine 100.

FIG. 2 shows one embodiment where the coupler unit 150 comprises a pair of coupler arms 154, pair of coupling members 156, and an actuator 158. In other embodiments single coupling member 156 or plurality of coupling members 156 may be used to couple the work tool. The coupling members 156 are configured to extend/retract on being commanded by the actuator 158. The coupling members 156 are configured to engage with the attachment structure of the loader bucket 148 when extended by the actuator 158. In an alternate embodiment the coupling members 156 may be actuated using an actuator 158 to couple a work tool and further configured to actuate or engage another component.

In the embodiment illustrated, the coupling members 156 are engagement pins. In an alternate embodiment, the coupling member 158 may have at least one engagement pin to couple the loader bucket 148 to the backhoe loader machine 100. In various other embodiments, the coupling members 156 may be any other type of coupling member 156 such as a hollow shaft, a rod, a bracket etc. that can be used to engage a work tool.

As one of skill in the art will appreciate, the actuator 158 may be any type of structure or mechanism responsible for moving a component. The actuator 158 may be under control of the operator present inside the operator cabin 102.

Referring to FIG. 2, the coupler unit 150 has an indicator 162 coupled to each of the coupler arms 154. The indicator 162 may provide a visual indication of an engagement status of the work tool with the machine. In the embodiment illustrated, the indicator 162 is configured to pivot between a first position and a second position. The first position indicative of the loader bucket 148 being dis-engaged from the backhoe loader machine 100. The second position indicative of engagement between the loader bucket 148 and backhoe loader machine 100. The indicator 162 may be of any suitable shape such as a pointer or a shaft. The indicator 162 may be painted a bright color or a color different than the coupler unit to provide easy visibility. In an alternate embodiment, the indicator 162 may be an arrow shaped plate. In various other embodiments, the indicator may be of any shape such as a converging plate, a pointed rod etc. In alternate embodiments, the indicator 162 is positioned on the coupler unit 150 so as to be visible from the operator cabin 102. The indicator 162 provides a visual indication to the operator of coupling of a work tool by the coupler unit 150.

A spring 160 is also provided on the coupler unit 150. The spring 160 is configured to bias the indicator 162 towards the first position. In yet another embodiment, a torsion spring 160 may be provided to bias the indicator 162 towards the first position. In various other embodiments the spring 160 may be any other type of biasing mechanism that can be used to bias the indicator 162 to the first position.

In an alternate embodiment, the indicator may have a cover 172 configured to protect the indicator from external damage during operation of the backhoe loader machine 100. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the indicator 162, in the first position is covered by the cover 172 and is not visible to the operator present in the operator cabin 102. However, once the indicator 162 is pivoted to the second position at least a portion of the indicator 162 becomes visible to the operator present in the operator cabin 102 as shown in FIG. 5.

In an embodiment, the coupling member 156 moves the indicator 162 from the first position to the second position. In other embodiments, the indicator 162 is pivoted from the first position to the second position after the coupling member 156 couples a work tool. The indicator 162 may be placed in the path of travel of the coupling member 156 such that actuation of the coupling member 156 by the actuator 158 to couple the work tool causes the indicator 162 to pivot from the first position to the second position. In the embodiment illustrated, the indicator 162 is placed on the coupler arms 154 in the path of travel of the coupling member 156.

FIG. 2 shows the loader bucket 148 not coupled with the backhoe loader machine 100. At this point, the coupling member 156 is in a retracted position. Further, the coupling member 156 does not engage with the indicator 162 and the indicator 162 is in the first position. The first position of the indicator 162 provides a visual indication that the loader bucket 148 has not been coupled to the backhoe loader machine 100.

FIG. 3 shows the loader bucket 148 being coupled with the backhoe loader machine 100. The actuator 158 extends the coupling member 156. The coupling member 156 in the extended position passes through the slot 164 defined on the loader bucket 148 and couples the loader bucket 148 with the backhoe loader machine 100. In the embodiment illustrated the indicator 162 is disposed proximal to the slot 164 such that the coupling member 156 actuates the indicator 162 to the second position after passing through the slot 164. The indicator 162 is moved to the second position against the biasing action of spring 160 after the loader bucket 148 is coupled to the backhoe loader machine 100. The extension of the spring 160 leads to the spring 160 developing a restoring force to restore the indicator 162 back to the first position when the coupling member 156 retracts. The second position of the indicator 162 provides a visual indication to the operator present in the operator cabin 102 that the loader bucket 148 has been coupled to the backhoe loader machine 100.

In an alternate embodiment, the loader bucket 148 further has a latch 166 that is also configured to secure the loader bucket 148 to the backhoe loader machine 100. The latching of the loader bucket 148 onto the coupler unit 150 prevents pivoting of the loader bucket 148 and adds stability during operation of the loader bucket 148. Rod 170 of the coupler unit 150 is configured to engage the latch 166 of the loader bucket 148 and add stability to the loader bucket 148 during operation. In various other embodiments, the shape and geometry of the cross sectional area of the rod 170 may be circular, triangular, square, etc.

To remove the loader bucket 148, the coupling member 156 is retracted, from the slot 164 using the actuator 158. Retraction of the coupling member 156 causes the loader bucket 148 to be disengaged from the coupler unit 150. The absence of pivoting force provided by the coupling member 156 to the indicator 162 causes the spring 160 to bring the indicator 162 back to the first position providing the operator present in the operator cabin 102 with a visual indication that the loader bucket 148 has been disengaged from the backhoe loader machine 100.

In yet another embodiment, misalignment of the slots 164 with the coupling member 156 may cause an incorrect or incomplete coupling of the loader bucket 148 with the backhoe loader machine 100. In such situations, the coupling member 156 fails to pass through the slot 164 and pivot the indicator 162. The indicator 162 remains at the first position and the operator gets a visual indication that the loader bucket 148 has not been securely coupled with the backhoe loader machine 100.

Thus, the operator may visually monitor the indicator 162 from inside the operator cabin 102 and notice transition from the first position to the second position and vice versa to get an indication whether the loader bucket 148 has been coupled with the backhoe loader machine 100.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

Working vehicles such as skid-steer loaders, backhoe loaders or other utility loaders have lift arms that can be used with various work implements such as buckets, blades, and lift forks. Various mechanisms have been proposed to provide quick interchange of the work implements so the same loader can be used for different work functions. To simplify and expedite the mounting and removal of various implements, the carriers are equipped with a coupler unit. However, in such coupler units the operator has to step out of the operator cabin to visually check for any existence of misalignment or non-engagement of the work tool with the implement, which is cumbersome and not desired.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, the coupler unit 150 coupling the loader bucket 148 to the backhoe loader machine 100 is disclosed. The coupler unit 150 has coupling member 156 configured to extend or retract on being actuated by the actuator 158. The coupling member 156 in the extended position engages an engagement structure of the loader bucket 148. In the embodiment illustrated, the coupling member 156 passes through the slot 164 of the loader bucket 148. After passing through the slot 164, the coupling member 156 engages with the indicator 162 and pivots the indicator 162 to the second position. The second position is indicative of the loader bucket 148 being coupled to the backhoe loader machine 100. The pivoting of the indicator 162 from the first to the second position provides a visual indication to the operator present in the operator cabin 102 that the loader bucket 148 has been securely coupled to the backhoe loader machine 100.

The method 600 of operation of the disclosed coupling will now be described in detail with reference to FIG. 6. The operator present in the operator station gives a command from inside the operator cabin 102 to couple the loader bucket 148 with the backhoe loader machine 100 (Step 602). The command leads to the actuator 158 moving the coupling member 156 to couple the loader bucket 148 to the backhoe loader machine 100 (Step 604). The coupling member 156 moves through slots 164, and couples the loader bucket 148 with the backhoe loader machine 100. Coupling of the loader bucket 148 using the coupling member 156 causes the coupling member 156 to pivot the indicator 162 to the second position after it has secured the loader bucket 148 with the backhoe loader machine 100 (Step 606).

While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof. 

1. A coupler unit for coupling a work tool to a machine, the coupler unit comprising: an indicator coupled to the coupler unit and pivotable between a first position and a second position, wherein the second position is indicative of the work tool being coupled to the machine; a coupling member movable by an actuator to couple the work tool to the machine; wherein coupling of the work tool by the coupling member is configured to cause the indicator to pivot from the first position to the second position.
 2. The coupler unit of claim 1, wherein the indicator is coupled to a coupler arm of the coupler unit.
 3. The coupler unit of claim 1, wherein the indicator is configured to provide a visual indication of an engagement status of the work tool with the machine, the first position of the indicator being indicative of a disengagement and the second position being indicative of an engagement between the work tool and the machine.
 4. The coupler unit of claim 1, further comprising a spring configured to bias the indicator towards the first position.
 5. The coupler unit of claim 1, wherein the coupling member has at least one engagement pin configured to couple the work tool to the machine.
 6. The coupler unit of claim 1, wherein the coupling member is configured to actuate the indicator to the second position after coupling with the work tool.
 7. The coupler unit of claim 1, further comprising a cover for the indicator.
 8. A machine having a coupler unit, the coupler unit comprising: an indicator coupled to the coupler unit and pivotable between a first position and a second position, wherein the second position is indicative of the work tool being coupled to the machine; a coupling member movable by an actuator to couple the work tool to the machine; wherein coupling of the work tool by the coupling member causes the indicator to pivot from the first position to the second position.
 9. The machine of claim 8, wherein the indicator is coupled to a coupler arm of the coupler unit.
 10. The machine of claim 8, wherein the indicator is configured to provide a visual indication of an engagement status of the work tool with the machine, the first position of the indicator being indicative of a disengagement and the second position being indicative of an engagement between the work tool and the machine.
 11. The machine of claim 8, further comprising a spring configured to bias the indicator towards the first position.
 12. The machine of claim 8, wherein the coupling member has at least one engagement pin configured to couple the work tool to the machine.
 13. The machine of claim 8, wherein the coupling member is configured to actuate the indicator to the second position after coupling with the work tool.
 14. The machine of claim 8, further comprising a cover for the indicator.
 15. A method of coupling a work tool to a machine, the machine comprising: a coupling member for coupling the work tool to the machine; an indicator coupled to the machine and movable between a first position and a second position, the second position indicative of the work tool coupled to the machine; the method comprising: moving the coupling member to couple the work tool; wherein coupling of the work tool by the coupling member moves the indicator to the second position.
 16. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the indicator is coupled on a coupler arm of the machine.
 17. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the indicator provides a visual indication of an engagement status of the work tool with the machine, the first position of the indicator being indicative of a disengagement and the second position being indicative of an engagement between the work tool and the machine.
 18. The method as claimed in claim 15, the method further comprising providing a spring coupled to the indicator to bias the indicator towards the first position.
 19. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the coupling member moves the indicator to the second position after coupling with the work tool.
 20. The method as claimed in claim 15 further comprising providing a cover for the indicator. 